Hundreds Protest OneBC Event at UBC, Leading to One Arrest
An event organized by the OneBC political party at the University of British Columbia (UBC) escalated into a clash between supporters and protesters. The confrontation resulted in one arrest and a chaotic scene on campus.
Protests Disrupt OneBC Event at UBC
The OneBC leader, Dallas Brodie, arranged the gathering at the UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. She announced her intention to engage students and others in conversations about controversial issues. However, the event drew nearly a thousand protesters, leading to significant unrest on the university campus.
Background of the Event
- Brodie founded OneBC in March 2025 after leaving the B.C. Conservative Party.
- She was removed from the Conservative Party due to her comments regarding former residential school students.
- Frances Widdowson, an author and supporter of OneBC, criticized UBC for allegedly spreading misinformation about unmarked graves.
In the two days leading up to the event, organizers of the protest mobilized. A viral Instagram post described their efforts as a demonstration of solidarity with survivors, rather than a counter-protest.
The Protest and Response
As the event commenced, Brodie and her supporters faced a massive crowd. Many participants expressed their anger, chanting and singing around the OneBC group. The situation turned tense, with the RCMP and campus security tasked with maintaining order.
After a series of skirmishes, UBC officials announced the need for the OneBC group to leave the vicinity for safety reasons. A statement from UBC indicated that they had coordinated with local law enforcement to implement a security strategy for the event.
Aftermath and Arrest
- One supporter of OneBC was arrested but later released without charges.
- Following the disruptions, Brodie and her supporters retreated to the UBC Aquatic Centre.
- Campus security restricted access to the Aquatic Centre, resulting in a standoff.
TransLink was involved in ensuring the safety of the situation, requesting the relocation of several patrons from campus to enhance security. Throughout the protest, antagonistic chants echoed, with attendees directing their dissatisfaction at OneBC.
Brodie later shared her perspective, saying the event highlighted crucial issues for British Columbians. Despite the turmoil, she expressed satisfaction with how the situation unfolded in a subsequent interview.
